Valentine W i t c h - -
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Friday, near midnight, Tiffany Blanchett, most commonly known as Tifa, or Tee if youre really close, was already up and about, fixing her bed. She and her group of friends had been planning the entire week for a small partying that friday, seeing as the first term's preliminary exams were over, the idea of partying out during the short holiday the school gave its students didnt seem like a bad idea. Unless youre Dante, that is. Tifa was more than your typical eighteen-year-old. Sure the rebellious streak was present, but unknown to her little group of friends, Tifa was actually the daughter of the most known mafia back in Italy. In fact, it was the very reason why her father sent her out of Italy and to Japan-- for her own safety, or so she was told. The first year of being sent away was hell, not only for Tifa but for everyone around her. But eventually, the girl decided she had to cope up with the temporary changes if she wanted to return to Italy.
But that didnt mean following every rule Dante laid down for her.
Dante, her self-proclaimed guardian, was against any form of “going out” without him, or anyone to look after her, for that matter. Tifa tolerated it the previous year, thinking Dante would loosen up when she hits the official age of eighteen. Boy was she wrong. Nothing changed, or maybe it did, it got worse. And it's still steadily getting worse. Tifa shook her head as she fluffed her pillows under the blanket to give the impression that she was still asleep, though she thought it wasnt necessary since she slept with her door locked. Dante was the only one who had the key to her door, and he couldnt be bothered to check on her any time past midnight. Dressed in a tight jeans and a blue halter, the girl sat on the edge of her bed and pulled her heeled boots on. She's was going out tonight. A smile was already present on her face as she pushed her windows open quietly, jumping out after. Once out of her room, it wasnt that hard to leave the house's premises. It was a good thing that Fred and the rest of the mafioso that came with her and Dante to Japan slept inside the house. In a few minutes, Tifa had rolled Kristoff's (the youngest among their bunch, therefore the easiest to manipulate as far as Tifa was concerned) scooter far down the road, the roar of it's engine far from being heard back in the house as she headed to one of the local clubs that she and her group frequented.
“So where's dangerous-and-sexy tonight, Tee?”
“I really wish you wouldnt call him that. He's anything but, I really dont know what it is you see in that freak. He's probably snoring the daylights out of him right now, besides he's too old for you Aya!”
“Pah, age is just a number and very insignificant when it comes to love.”
“Love. Yeah right. Once I meet him, Ima give him my two cents on the matter through my fists.”
“Always so violent. Let's dance it away, we deserve it.”
“That's one thing I can agree with.”
Aya was Tifa's closest friend in their group of five, in fact she was Tifa's first friend when she arrived at Japan. Aya was pretty on her own, asian way, in contrast to Tifa's strong Italian features, though that's not saying she's not pretty as well. If anything, Tifa's appearance was one of her strongest assets, among other things. Simple items of clothings looked expensive on her. When it comes to clothes, everything works the opposite way. Tifa makes them clothes look better. Fashion was something that is a matter of life and death when it comes to young female. Aya's appearance was gentle and petite while Tifa's was strong and sharp, but whenever they were together, they completely complimented each other, attracting more stares from the opposite gender than possible. However, unlike Aya, who seems to never lose a boyfriend no matter how frequent she changes them, Tifa never entered into a relationship with any of the males that approached her. Sure she flirted and teased, but she never allowed it to enter into a stage that she wouldnt be able to handle. And the fact that Dante would probably lock her down if not kill her was a big influence on her decisions when it comes to relationships.
“I think I need a break. My feet are killing me.”
Tifa excused herself from Aya who didnt seem to hear her seeing as she was busy juggling two, maybe even three, boys' attention on her. That was another thing. Aya was completely approachable whereas Tifa gave off the expression as if she's going to bite anyone who comes close to her without any permission. Moving smoothly through the sweaty crowd, Tifa found herself back in their table where the three other girls in their group were busy playing a card game which Tifa couldnt understand. She shrugged, its not as if she was interested anyway. Dropping herself in the nearest empty space on the couch, she proceeded to kick her boots off noisily before pulling her legs up on the couch on a cross-legged position. The noise caught the attention of the other three who only gave her a glance. They were used to such a rough attitude when Tifa was involved. Reaching over the table, she took a smoke and lit it, leaning back against the couch to relax. At least she planned to.
“Hey hey people. Let's play something else!”
Aya it seemed had decided to follow Tifa back to their table with two of the males that she was talking to earlier. Without as much of a word, Tifa lowered her feet to the floor to scoot over. One of the guys sat beside her which she promptly ignored as she took another hit from her smoke. Aya was as cheerful as ever as she tried to explain the mechanics of her little game to the rest of the group-- something which Tifa ignored. As it it isnt obvious yet, she had no patience for rules.
“Oi Tee, stop sulking and join us.”
“Shut it, Im not sulking.”
Tifa sighed and leaned forward to drop the still unfinished smoke on the tray that was available. She had no plans of refusing Aya, if anything, Aya was the only person who Tifa followed without a fuss, since she knew the girl never accepted no for an answer, it would just be a waste of time to try. Clearing the table, Aya set an empty long necked bottle of beer in the middle. The game was obvious. Truth or Dare. It took several spins before it landed on her. Cheers and hoots were heard from her four girlfriends as they asked her the question. Of course the word that fell from her lips was dare. A mistake that Tifa would only realize later on. During all the times that their group headed out for some fun, Tifa edged away from drinking any kind of liquor since the one time she ever tried, she ended up sleeping like a rock for a whole day. The teasing that came after never died. Seeing this as a rare opportunity to embarrass Tifa, the girls demanded she take a shot of gin, to which Tifa reacted violently. Caught by surprise and disbelief that her friends would forsake her like that, Tifa suddenly shot off her seat, but that was it. The rest of them were staring at her like a bunch of idiots. Grumbling, she sat back down.
“..just one.”
Tifa couldnt stomach the idea of running away from her first dare. She took the small shot glass and downed it which was followed by a cheer from the group. After that, Tifa carefully chose the truth option to stay on the safe side, but that was at the expense of having stupid questions being thrown at her. How old is Dante? How long have you been together? Does he have a girlfriend? What's his type of girl? Tifa wanted to pull the hair off her head along with her friends. The boys' didnt do better, only unlike the girls who asked about Dante, the boys asked about her, much to Tifa's dismay. Unable to bear with such questions any longer, Tifa decided to return back to choosing dare, to which she was subject to shot after shot of gin.
Dante's going to kill me if he finds out... If he finds out.
But the worst was yet to come. Aya dared the boy sitting beside Tifa, who she now knew whose name was Toshi, to kiss Tifa. Drunk and repulsed at the very idea of the unknown boy kissing her, whether it be on her cheek (which she highly doubted), Tifa shot off her seat for the second time and threatened that should Toshi dare to even lean close, she'd have to punch him unconscious. Unfortunately for Toshi, who didnt believe the threat one bit, grabbed Tifa's wrist to pull her back down on her seat. Wasting no time, Tifa balled her fist and sent them directly at Toshi's jaw who was sent back, surprised.
“Tha's it! Ima outta 'ere. Vatenni, bastardo! Non mi rompere i coglioni, stronzo!”*
Cursing in her own language, Tifa shoved a still shocked Toshi before she grabbed her boots and walked out of the club's premises to the scooter she stole in barefoot. She knew it was dangerous to drive at her current condition. But it was almost four in the morning and she figured she had to make it back no matter what. The idea of being caught out of bed by Dante was more terrifying than dying on the road. Not that she'll admit it anytime soon.
Tifa had to kill the scooter a block away from home as she usually does whenever she sneaks out just to be in the safe side. Though this time, she almost couldnt handle the weight of the bike due to her being drunk. It was through sheer determination that she managed to return safely and quietly back home and sneaking back in her room before the first of the sun's rays broke through the top of the trees that surrounded them. Tired, drunk, and with an insane headache, Tifa removed all but her underwear, dropping the rest of her clothes on the floor before she dropped herself on her bed, passing out before her head even hit her pillow.
An hour passed, and another.. and another.. four and a half hours passed, and hell began.
“Tifa, wake the hell up. We’re leaving at nine thirty on the dot. And I don’t give a crap if you still have rollers in your hair or still in your underwear by then so make use of your time.“
It was the only thing in the entire world that could break through Tifa's sleep, Dante's voice. Jerking awake, the girl fell to the floor with a faint thud.
[********]
Tifa groaned as she sat up, it was a good thing she fell on her scattered clothes and not directly to the wooden floor. Muttering an almost endless string of curses at Dante, she picked herself up and grabbed the nearest items of clothing, a chemise and a pair of white shorts which was so short it disappeared under her shift. Not that the girl cared. Her sleep was cut off for an unknown reason and she had a huge headache. A hangover seemed like it. Tifa backtracked, wondering what day it was or whether Dante had something scheduled for the day. She was almost sure she had the day off but she doubted her memory at the moment. With an intense headache, it didnt seem impossible that she'd forget things.
“Hey, did you hear me!? And if you want breakfast you better hop to it, we’re not stopping for anything on the way. “
“YES. NOW ******** OFF.”
Tifa had gone out of her way and opened the door for Dante even just to scream back at him and show him that she was indeed awake, not even caring that she was still a complete mess from head to toe from the night before. Frustrations now successfully voiced out, Tifa slammed her door on Dante's face as she retreated back inside her room to get ready for whatever, swearing that Dante better present a memo to her if he doesnt want her raging the entire day away.
“I have a horrible headache.” Tifa groaned and brushed her hair back from her face until she saw the time. “I have an hour left... s**t!”
Stumbling through the mess of her room, she grabbed her toiletries and exited her room, only to disappear in the door sitting next to her room's door. She made sure to demand a bathroom of her own the moment she stepped in Japanese grounds and wouldnt stop until she got what she wanted. She didnt regret that though. In fact she rarely regretted anything she ever did. While aware that Dante had given her an hour to get ready, the moment she stepped into the shower, Tifa forgot everything except the way the high pressured water seem to hit every sore spot she had, especially her shoulders and the back of her neck. On any other day, she wouldve spent more than an hour simply standing under the pouring water. But it would seem she didnt have that privilege today. Tifa proceeded to scrub off the smell of alcohol and smoke from her skin to the extent that her skin seemed flush as it had turned a slight red from the harsh rubbing. Under limited time or not, Tifa refused to step out of bath until she was sure the lavender scent of her soap as well as her shampoo had embedded itself into her body. It was only she was thoroughly satisfied did she step out of the bath. Her one hour limit was already gone. Who cares, right?
Tifa returned to her room and headed straight to her dresser, acting as if she had all the time in the world, she spent the next ten minutes deciding between three outfits, whether she knew where she was going or not, she always makes sure that she was satisfied with her appearance. In the end, she decided on the first outfit she brought out. The main item was a straight, black, spaghetti strapped dress that hung inches above her knees. However, Tifa pulled a fitting white shirt with sleeves down to her elbows before pulling the dress on. Shaking the remaining drops of water in her hair, she brushed it once before adding the final touch that was always present on whatever outfit she decides on wearing, a ribbon tied around her neck, a black ribbon this time to compliment her dress. Pulling her heels once done, she exited her room with unmarred confidence, obviously not caring that she took an hour and a half just to get ready. And as if she wasnt aware, she headed to the kitchen to greet their caretaker, Mrs. Aoki, in the most carefree manner that she had.
“Ohayou Aoki-san~”
“Tiffany-chan? Dante-kun had been waiting.”
“Ah, I know. A few minutes wouldnt hurt him, hai?”
“Hey Princess! The car’s ready so get your butt out here now! We‘re going out”
“But let's not keep him waiting, ne?”
Smiling, she picked up a loaf of bread and stuck in her mouth before waving at Mrs. Aoki who was shaking her head in disapproval, though the smile on her face gave her off. The smile on her face was present until her eyes fell on Dante's form, obvious impatience written in almost every part of his body. However, Tifa just shrugged it off nonchalantly as she passed by him and promptly disappearing into the waiting car without as much as a word directed at him. Once in the car however, curiosity got the best of her as she leaned forward to the driver's seat where Frederick sat in front of the wheel.
“Oi, where are we headed?”
“Can't tell miss, you'll see when we get there.”
The knowing wink that Frederick gave he made her frown. They obviously know about the trip, perhaps even days before, her attitude refused to take the fact that something was hidden from her lightly. Huffing haughtily, she fell back in her seat with crossed arms, her gaze set unwaveringly outside the window as she attempted to ignore everyone until they arrive at their destination.
Including Dante and his possibly incoming frustrations which was very likely to be directed at her.
*Get lost, b*****d! Youre pissing me off, you piece of s**t!
